Grassley phone bill approved

Measure backed unanimously

July 16, 2014

A measure co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley that will enable people to more easily switch their cellphones to a different wireless service provider has been unanimously approved by the Senate.

Grassley, the Republican who is Iowa's senior senator, said Wednesday that the Senate passed the measure Tuesday night.

The bill, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 10.

"Such quick consideration by the full Senate is almost unheard of, so it goes to show the bill's direct impact on Americans," Grassley said in a written statement. "The bipartisan bill is pro-consumer and pro-competition."

According to information provided by Grassley's office, the bill would allow consumers to keep their cellphone and use it with another wireless service after completing their contract with their original service provider.

"Empowering people with the freedom to use the carrier of their choice after complying with their original terms of service is the right thing to do," Grassley said. "This bipartisan agreement is an important step forward in ensuring that there is competition in the industry and in safeguarding options for consumers as they look at new cell phone contracts."